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International Journal of Interreligious and Intercultural Studies (IJIIS) ISSN: 2654-2706, Volume 2, Number 2, October 2019

THE INTERFACE BETWEEN RELIGION AND POLITICS IN THE BASED ON DATA FROM RECENT PHILIPPINE ELECTIONS

Nestor T. Castro University of the Philippines Diliman, Philippine

Abstract

The Philippines held its national elections last May 2019. During the election campaign, several religious groups organized electoral slates or supported particular political candidates. Among these groups were the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) with its Alagad Party, the is Lord (JIL) Movement with its CIBAC Party, the with its Buhay Party, and the Kingdom of Jesus which supported all of the candidates backed by the Duterte government. On the other hand, the dominant Roman did not support any political party or candidate as a bloc but emphasized the need for the electorate to use their conscience and vote wisely. Some Roman Catholic priests, however, openly supported the opposition Otso Diretso slate for the Senate. This paper looks at the interesting link between religion and politics in the Philippines, especially in its recent political history, i.e. from 1986 up to the present. In particular, this paper will attempt to answer the following questions: What role do the various religious groups in the Philippines play in the field of political arena? Do vote based on their religious affiliation?

Key words: elections, politics, religion

The Country Setting each country in the region, including the Southeast Asia is one of the Philippines. most culturally diverse regions in the According to Ethnologue (2018), world. The region is diverse in terms there are more than 170 languages in of language, race and ethnicity, and the Philippines with each language religion. This characteristic is true for having several dialects. Most of

100 Nestor T. Castro these languages belong to the Western members of the Philippine Independent Malayo-Polynesian subfamily of the Church (2.0%), and other religious Austronesian family of languages. (5%). Based on the 2000 Census of Population and Housing, eight of these languages Roman Catholicism was brought are considered as the mother tongue of to the Philippines by the Spaniards the majority (82%) of Filipinos, namely when they ruled the country from Tagalog (28.16%), Cebuano (23.12%), 1565 until 1898. The Philippine Ilokano (9.07%), Hiligaynon (7.57%), Independent Church seceded from the Bikol (6.01%), Waray (3.36%), Roman during the Kapampangan (3.03%), and Pangasinan Philippine revolution against Spain in (1.78%). 1896. The said group is independent Language is also the primary from the Vatican although its religious criterion of identifying one’s ethnic dogma follows the Roman Catholic identity in the Philippines although beliefs and practices. Several Protestant other variables are also taken into denominations entered the Philippines consideration, such as the ethnic group’s during the period of American territory, phenotypic characteristics, colonization, i.e. from 1898 until 1946. various cultural traits, and religion. The Iglesia ni Cristo (literally meaning Since ethnic differentiation is something “”) was founded in that is cultural and not biological, there 1914 in the Philippines but now has is no agreement as to how many ethnic several members in different parts of groups there are in the Philippines. the world, especially among those of According to Jocano (1998), there Filipino ancestry. are at least 106 ethnic groups in the Philippines. The eight biggest ethno- Religion and Politics in Pre- linguistic groups make up the dominant colonial Philippines ethnic majority in the country while the Prior to the coming of the Spanish rest constitute ethnic minorities. in the Philippines, Filipinos were There are various religious basically animists. According to Tylor traditions in the Philippines as well (1873) animism refers to the belief in although the majority of Filipinos a dual existence in life – a physical belong to Christian denominations. body and a . Animists believe that According to the 2010 Census of humans have a body and soul but the Population and Housing, 81% of same is true for animals, plants, and Filipinos are Roman Catholics while the natural features of the environment, the rest are Muslims (5.1%), Protestants such as the rivers and streams, the wind, (4.6%), Iglesia ni Cristo (2.3%), rocks and mountains, etc.

101 Religion and Politics in The Philippines

The Spanish chronicler Antonio Spanish rule, there was no separation de Morga (1609) documented that the between the Church and State. While natives of the Philippines believed in there was a Spanish Governor-General the presence of several spirits, including who was in charge of the political the ancestral spirits (called anito), administration of the Philippine colony, environmental spirits called diwata the Spanish friars often intervened in (from the Sanskrit devata meaning political matters. deity or spirit), and several malevolent This situation changed in 1898 creatures found in nature. when Filipinos were able to establish an In traditional Philippine society, independent political state, the Republic there was no clear-cut dichotomy of the Philippines. The Philippine between the sacred and the profane. Constitution of 1898 highlighted the Religiosity, or more precisely need for a separation between the spirituality, permeated all aspects of Church and State. Although Filipino life, including political life. This can be revolutionaries also established a gleaned from linguistic evidences. For Philippine Independent Church, the example, the Tagalog term sala is used leaders of this Church did not intervene to refer to a crime against persons and in the government’s affairs. properties as well as for a sin against Unfortunately, the independent or spirits (Castro 1990). Philippine Republic was short-lived as Moreover, the traditional village the Americans declared a war against leaders, such as those of the headman or Spain in 1898 and eventually acquired chieftain (usually called datu in many the Philippines from Spain. The Philippine communities) exercised Americans ruled the Philippines from both political authority and ceremonial 1898 until 1946, but briefly disrupted by religious power. the Japanese occupation from 1942 to 1945. Religion and Politics in Colonial Fearful about the influence of Philippine Society the Philippine Independent Church, The Spanish colonizers ruled the the American authorities allowed the Philippines for more than 300 years Roman Catholic religious orders to through the Cross and the sword. regain ownership of their previous Those who were converted into the church lands and properties. In new Roman Catholic religion became addition, the Americans administrators part of the new colonial state. Those invited Protestant missionaries to who resisted conversion were punished come into the Philippines and establish through military conquests. religious missions in the new American During the three centuries of colony.

102 Nestor T. Castro

Religion and Politics in Post- opposition candidate Corazon Aquino colonial Philippines while the Iglesia ni Cristo supported The Philippines gained Marcos for President. Eventually independence from United States in Marcos was overthrown through a 1946. The Philippine Constitution of People Power Revolution in February 1946 respected the separation between 1986 and Corazon Aquino became Church and State. However, this was the President of a restored Philippine mainly in paper but the reality on the democracy. ground was quite different. The Roman In 1987, the Philippines adopted Catholic Church in the Philippines a new Constitution. This Constitution regained its strong influence in reiterated the separation between Philippine politics. Political candidates religion and politics. According running for office generally courted to Article II, Section 6 of the 1987 the Roman Catholic Church hierarchy Constitution, “The separation between for support during election campaigns. Church and State shall be inviolable.” However, the blessing and endorsement Moreover, Article III, Section 5 of the given by the Church did not always Constitution mentions translate into election victories for these “No law shall be made respecting an candidates. establishment of religion, or prohibiting the exercise thereof. The free exercise In 1972, President Ferdinand and enjoyment of religious profession Marcos declared martial law in the and worship, without discrimination or Philippines, abolished the Philippine preference, shall forever be allowed. Congress, and ruled exercised No religious test shall be required for dictatorial powers over the country. the exercise of civil or political rights.” At first, the Roman Catholic Church, Again, these Constitutional led by Jaime Cardinal Sin, developed provisions are good on paper but a strategy of critical collaboration there were many cases of violation in with the Marcos regime. The Church reality. The Roman Catholic Church hierarchy recognized Marcos’ rule but opposed government programs on criticized the policies of the regime family planning and reproductive health especially in terms of its violation of and continues to oppose proposals for human rights. legalizing divorce and re-imposing the Because Marcos did not have the death penalty. Of course, the Church full support of the Roman Catholic would claim that they have the right Church, it courted the support of the to lobby on these matters since these Iglesia ni Cristo. During the snap issues fall within the realm of morality elections of 1986, Cardinal Sin and which, they believe, is within the the Roman Catholic Church supported mandate of any religious group.

103 Religion and Politics in The Philippines

On the other, there have also been government. cases of the State’s interference of It is public knowledge in the internal Church matters, such as the Philippines that the Iglesia ni Cristo 2011 scandal involving the Arroyo votes as a bloc. The members of the government’s bribery of certain INC will vote for any political party or Catholic in order to gain their whoever political candidate that their political support for her administration’s Executive Eduardo Manalo programs. It was revealed that several will ask them to vote for. This has been Catholic bishops received donations of the practice of the INC even during the SUV vehicles from the government in time of the leadership of its founder exchanged for political support. Eraño Manalo. Because of this practice, many politicians have courted the The 2016 and 2019 National Elec- support of the INC leadership so that tions they are guaranteed with a large number During the 2016 Presidential of votes. In exchange, these political Elections and the 2019 Midterm leaders give promises to appoint INC Elections, several religious groups members in government positions participated in the electoral arena by if they win the elections. It must be filing candidacies in the party-list said, however, that not all candidates system. This system allowed for the supported by the INC won the elections. representation of marginalized groups For example, the INC supported in the Lower House of the Philippine Ferdinand Marcos during the 1986 Congress. Presidential Elections and Eduardo Although originally intended for Cojuangco during the 1992 Presidential marginalized groups, the party-list elections but both candidates lost. On system was taken advantage of by the other hand, Joseph Estrada won the many political stakeholders, including elections in 1998, Gloria Macapagal politicians in power, by forming Aquino won in 2004, Benigno Aquino political parties that allegedly espouse won in 2010, and won certain civic causes. Religious groups in 2016, all of whom were supported by organized their own political parties. the Iglesia ni Cristo. Among these groups were the Iglesia Surely, the INC is a religious- ni Cristo (INC) with its Alagad Party, political bloc to reckon with during the Jesus is Lord (JIL) Movement with Philippine elections. However, its its CIBAC Party, the El Shaddai with actual strength has largely been its Buhay Party, and the Kingdom of exaggerated probably in order to court Jesus Christ which supported all of more political deals from incumbent and the candidates backed by the Duterte aspiring politicians.

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The Jesus is Lord Movement has A relatively new religious player also been active in electoral politics in the political arena is the Kingdom since 2004. JIL Founder and President of Jesus Christ, led by Apollo Eduardo Villanueva ran as Presidential Quiboloy. Quiboloy is a close friend candidate during the 2004 and 2010 of President Duterte. President Duterte elections but lost on both occasions. admitted that Quiboloy was one of However, his son Joel Villanueva ran his biggest financiers during the 2016 for Congressman and then as Senator Presidential Elections. This religious and won. Joel Villanueva also served as also practices bloc voting similar Director of the government’s Technical to the Iglesia ni Cristo. During the Education and Skills Development 2019 Midterm Elections, Quiboloy Authority. The JIL-affiliated CIBAC endorsed all of the candidates backed party also won seats in the Philippine by President Duterte and her daughter Congress. Sarah Duterte. However, the actual The El Shaddai is a lay charismatic delivery of votes coming from the movement within the Roman Catholic Kingdom of Jesus Christ is quite low Church. Its Spiritual Director is because of the relatively fewer members Brother Mike Velarde. During the of this group. May 2019 elections, Brother Mike On the other hand, the dominant openly endorsed the candidacy of 14 Roman Catholic Church (apart from the senatorial candidates, most of whom El Shaddai) did not support any political are aligned with President Duterte. party or candidate as a bloc during the The El Shaddai uses the Buhay Party 2019 elections but emphasized the need as its political platform in joining the for the electorate to use their conscience party-list elections. The Buhay Party in voting wisely. Some Roman Catholic garnered the most number of votes priests, however, openly supported the among all party lists during the 2007 opposition Otso Diretso slate for the and 2013 elections. However, it has Senate. Unfortunately, all of the eight been observed that the Buhay Party’s Otso Diretso candidates lost. strength has been dwindling. While As for other religious groups in it gained 7.3% of the total party-list the country, there is no evidence that votes in 2007, the Buhay Party only they have strong electoral influence. got 4.6% of the party list votes in 2013 For example, Muslim groups in the (COMELEC 2019). Moreover, even if Philippines do not single out Muslim the El Shaddai has been quite strong in candidates among those that they are the party-list elections, it had not been supporting. Muslim Filipinos vote for strong enough to make a difference in candidates whether they are Muslims or the Presidential and Senatorial elections. not.

105 Religion and Politics in The Philippines

Postscipt is stupid, mine has common sense There is currently an ongoing (Philippine Daily Inquirer).” verbal war between President Duterte Last December 2018, Duterte and the Roman Catholic Church. This challenged the people, “These bishops is attributed to the critical stance of – kill them, these fools are good the Catholic Church against Duterte’s for nothing. All they do is criticize so-called “War on Drugs.” Because (Philippine Daily Inquirer).” Just last of this drug war, more than 7,000 January 3, 2019, Duterte retorted, “Only people have been killed extra-judicially I can say bishops are sons of bitches, because of being mere suspects of damn you. That is true... Most of them engaging in the drug trade. The Roman are gay. They should come out in the Catholic Church has joined civil society open, cancel celibacy and allow them organizations in criticizing this policy to have boyfriends (Philippine Daily for being anti-poor and for violating Inquirer).” human rights. These anti-Catholic statements In retaliation, President Duterte has have further set a political divide openly lambasted the Catholic Church between many Roman Catholic leaders during his public speeches. In June 23, and members on one side and the 2018, Duterte criticized the Catholic Duterte administration on the other God, mentioning “Who is this stupid side. Many Catholic lay members are God? This son of a bitch is then really now challenging the Roman Catholic stupid... How can you rationalize a hierarchy in the Philippines to go back God? Do you believe? What kind to its old role of being a counter-balance of religion is that? (Philippine Daily to authoritarianism, similar to the role of Inquirer)” Again on July 1, 2018, the Roman Catholic Church during the Duterte publicly announced, “Your time of the Marcos dictatorship.[]

References

Castro, N. (1990). “Paglilitis, Pamamagitan, Paghatol: Indigenous Concepts of Land Dispute Processing in Silang, ,” PSSC Social Science Information 18(3): 27-36. Castro, N. (2005). “Kapangyarihan, Awtoridad at Moralidad sa Imnajbu,” in Consuelo Joaquin-Paz, Gabay sa Fildwurk. : University of the Philippines. Commission on Elections (2019). Election Results. Accessed at www.comelec.gov.ph Hollnsteiner, M.R. (1973). “Reciprocity in the Lowland Philippines,” in Frank Lynch and Alfonso de Guzman, Four Readings on Philippine Values. Quezon City: Institute of Philippine Culture. Morga, A. 1990 [orig. 1609] Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas. : National Historical

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Institute. National Statistical Coordination Board (2000). 2000 Census of Population and Housing. : NSCB. National Statistical Coordination Board (2010). 2010 Census of Population and Housing. Makati: NSCB. Pertierra, R. (1988). Religion, Politics, and Rationality in a Philippine Community. Quezon City: Ateneo de Manila University Press. Summer Institute of Linguistics (2018). Ethnologue. Accessed at www.ethnologue.com Republic of the Philippines (1987). Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines. Quezon City: National Book Store. Tylor, E. B. (1979) [orig. 1873]. “Animism,” in W.A. Lessa (ed.), Reader in Comparative Religion: An Anthropological Approach, 9-19. New York: Harper Collins.

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